Aurora Forecast

Hourly Aurora Forecast

Using real-time solar wind data from Nasa’s ACE spacecraft, matched with some computer modelling, we are able to display with reasonable accuracy, how the aurora will behave up to one hour in advance.Image should be used as a guide only. Aurora may be seen slightly higher or lower than the image shows on any given night.

Right now, the aurora is predicted to be: Kp 2.00

In 0 hour and 15 minutes, the aurora is predicted to be kp 2.33In 0 hour and 31 minutes, the aurora is predicted to be kp 2.33In 0 hour and 46 minutes, the aurora is predicted to be kp 2.67

Why do we use UTC?UTC (Universal Time Co-ordinated) is used in science, weather, aviation, military and many other fields. It eliminates confusion with multiple time zones and daylight saving. Once you find out the time difference between UTC and your own time zone, it is easy to read universal times. Click here to see what UTC is right now in North American time zones. For more information on UTC click here

Solar Wind Gauges

These gauges are our own system, they are updated every 60 seconds directly from Nasa’s ACE spacecraft data. The data you see here is what the ACE spacecraft monitored only moments ago. It is the very latest live solar wind data available. These 3 components are the most important components of the solar wind (that we as aurora watchers are interested in). You can view all the components of the solar wind on our other solar wind tool here.

Gauges are updated every minute live (without the need for page refresh).

What Kp strength do you need to view aurora where you are?

To see the Northern Lights in the lower parts of Southern Canada you generally need Kp3+ levels. For the Northern USA states (excluding Alaska), you would usually need a geomagnetic storm for Northern Lights to be visible. Anything above (and including) Kp5 level is classed as a geomagnetic storm, so this is usually the golden number we all wish to see. Even if you are quite far north and have auroras at much lower kp numbers, a geomagnetic storm will turn the usual good aurora shows into amazing aurora shows.

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Current estimated aurora level:

Latest NOAA/POES image.

Short term forecast (<1 hour):

Short term forecast (<1 hour)

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About

Aurora Service was set up by me (Tony) in my spare time. I am a computer programmer and aurora watcher, so I combined both experiences to create this site to help aid my aurora viewing. It has kept growing since.

Aurora Service

We now have 3 Aurora Service websites providing aurora information in 3 continents.